Our Staff

Meet the staff of Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Center

Pippa Hodge is one of the founding staff members of VTEA, a CanTRA Coach and Examiner, and a Registered Physiotherapist specializing in Clinical Hippotherapy.

Julie Matijiw, our Head Instructor, has been involved showing and training horses for most of her life. Julie has been with VTEA since 1996 and is currently a CanTRA II certified instructor.

Talented in all areas of horsemanship, Julie’s particular gift is understanding the non-verbal communication between horse and human. Julie has achieved Rider Level 5 Equine Canada Status, and is certified in Equine Massage.

Kim Cadigan’s life-long passion for recreation led her to obtain a Bachelor of Recreation Degree at Brock University and a post graduate diploma specializing in therapeutic recreation at Georgian College. In 2012, after many years working as a recreation therapist, Kim made the move to BC. Wanting to make connections within the therapeutic community, she decided to volunteer at a therapeutic riding stable and her love for equine therapeutic riding was born. Kim completed her CanTRA Basic Instructor certification in 2017. Kim enjoys working toward shared goals with her riders, volunteers and therapy horse team at Valley Therapeutic.

Donna, Instructor and Volunteer Co-ordinator, has owned horses since childhood. She grew up riding multiple disciplines and is now training third level dressage with her beautiful mare, Bella. Her passion for these majestic soul-healing animals motivated her to become involved in therapeutic riding almost 30 years ago. Her amazement never ends at the transformation horses can make in our lives!

Kim Yawney came to VTEA as a volunteer in August 2008 and in October was hired on as Office Coordinator. In 2010 she started with fill-in teaching for the instructors, got her certification in 2013, and continues to teach now.

Kim has 4 horses of her own and knows how therapeutic they are to her life. The best part of her job is seeing the bright eyes, smiles, confidence and self-esteem that horses bring to riders.

Lindy Mayer is a CanTRA Basic Instructor and has her own horse, Rosie, in the VTEA program. She has 15 years experience in the District 43 Special Education Department, does community support work specializing in autism, and is a braillist.

Lindy also is a volunteer instructor at North Fraser Therapeutic.

Music Program Specialist

Carolyn Canfield Cole has created the Violin for Wellness Program to use live violin as a gateway tool to add sparkle and engagement for better therapeutic outcomes for disabilities, PTSD, grief, and other at-risk populations.

Carolyn plays with Vancouver Opera, various small ensembles, teaches private violin and continues to share the many ways the violin can help others: disabilities, at-risk youth, and fundraisers for causes. Find out more about this program.